Vinyl: The Art of Making Records

by Mike Evans

This history of the LP is a must-have for any music connoisseur!

When vinyl LP records took over the music industry in the late 1950s, a new era began. No longer bound by the time constraints of the shellac 78s that had been in use since the 1910s, recording artists could now present an entire album—rather than a lone three-minute single—on a vinyl LP, giving listeners a completely new way to experience their music. In recent years, vinyl has found a second life as an art form, collected and appreciated by music connoisseurs across the world. V The Art of Making Records  examines the origins of the vinyl format and its evolution throughout the 20th century, and also provides an in-depth look at how vinyl LPs are manufactured and packaged—often with striking artwork that makes them beloved by music enthusiasts today. Also included are four removable art prints, each representing a sample of album covers from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is this case with these catch-all books of art, quotable history, and sleeves, what begins as a promising tome of audiophile history somehow ends up at the doorstep of Jack White when talking about modern day vinyl output. It's a pretty book that is a bit more immersive than a coffee table book but considering the amount of typos, poor editing, and the fall off the cliff in quality that happens when the book tries to lightly touch on vinyl's evolution from the 60s to present day, it'd be better as a condensed, pretty-to-look-at coffee table book.

[Aaron Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book; not quite an in-depth study of records and record-making but there are plenty of tidbits that not everyone would've known prior to reading. The progression of vinyl records is nicely documented until the chapters on the 80's-90's-2000's. Vinyl records were obviously in decline but there could've been a little more on some of the independent and enthusiast labels that kept that form alive. Using this book as a sole resource, you'd think that the 2000's was all about Jack White and not much more. While he's an important figure in vinyl's slight resurgence, there's more to the story than that. The 'Record Store Day' movement is touched on only in a photo caption, for example. I would've rated the book four stars if these recent years were handled with a bit more depth.

[Lee Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book with a number of great pictures and facts. For example, did you know that Blonde on Blonde was the first pop/rock double album? No, me neither. A lovely book for vinyl lovers like me, and great to see my local fave store The Music Exchange getting a listing at the back.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great coffee table book.

[G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible. I'll let you know how when I'm ready to post a review. But trust me, it's absolutely beautiful.

[Ian Illingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally very niche - but overall a wonderful nostalgic, but also future facing trip through the Vinyl format for real enthusiasts.

[elesbinho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trazido pro Brasil pela Folha de São Paulo, o livro é um insight da industria da música, desde os discos de acetato até os últimos anos de primor dos discos de vinil e sua reascenção como objeto de memorabilia e decoração. O livro também pontua gravadoras e álbuns que marcaram época, indo de Elvis Presley até o underground com a música eletrônica, com nomes como o do dj e produtor Aphex Twin e sua gravadora Warp. Livro pesado e de capa dura, objeto de decoração pra amantes de vinil e da música analógica.